Question:
I embroider with seed beads, bugels, and stone (or glass) cabachons.
I have used crazy glue or E-6000 adhesive to secure the stones with
ok results. Yet, I have had disasters with the adhesive changing the color
or corroding the luster of surrounding beads (after so much work!).
Has anyone had a better experience? Can you recommend a product
or useful reference? Just keeping the adhesive away from the seed
beads or bugels is not always possible.
Answer:
-Another alternative would be to use a fabric glue like Gem-Tac. It
won't be as strong a bond as E-6000, but it won't change the colors
of the surrounding beads or the fabric. Follow the instructions
closely! If you apply the stone too soon or with too much glue on
it, the glue will seep through the fabric.
I wouldn't recommend crazy glue at all. It's brittle, and tends to leave
a nasty haze over surrounding stones and beads. Try something like
hypo-tube glue (watch crystal glue) instead. Again, follow the instructions,
or you'll have problems.
Truth to tell, I still use 5-minute epoxy on most things. It has to
be used sparingly, as any excess will not come off easily and may yellow
over time. But it's wonderful for jewelry settings.
-and it seems to work well. it doesn't get brittle, and I have yet to find
it changes the color or finish of any seed beads I use.
-I also do a lot of bead embroidery with cabochons, and I have used both
Goop and E600 with no problems. I use a very small amount of adhesive and
spread it thinly with a toothpick. It doesn't take much of either of
those to provide a good, strong bond. I attach my cabochons first, let
them dry for about 5 or 10 minutes to set, then bead around them. If I am
attaching other cabochons later in the piece, I glue them on when I am
about 2 rows of beads away from where I want them. Again, use the
adhesive sparingly, and if any should seep out, scrape it off immediately
with a toothpick. Let it set, then continue beading!
-I've also glued cabs in place with an adhesive called Barge cement.
It's used in making shoes, and sticks very well, just DO NOT breath it.
You must wear a respirator. I'm not sure if it discolors, but it's
flexible. You apply it like rubber cement, putting it on both surfaces
to be glued, let it dry, then stick it together.
